Related Content

The fact that Republicans didnt try to use immigration to divide Democrats also demonstrates the weakness of this administrations argument in bringing it up, Gutierrez added, referring to President Barack Obamas support for adding the anti-immigrant provision in the Senate bill. Here was an anti-immigrant proposal that the Republicans thought so little of that they didnt use it. Its unusual, right?

Even if Republicans had brought the immigration issue to a vote, some Democratic leaders were confident they could have defeated it.

Our whipping was going very well, which was very gratifying and made for a sweeter victory, Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Xavier Becerra (Calif.) said.

Becerra described a gelling among the broader Democratic Caucus in favor of immigration reform. He said he hopes the GOPs decision not to offer the amendment could signal a chance for bipartisan immigration reform.

Im an optimist, Becerra said. I sincerely believe there is good will on both sides of the aisle to try to fix a broken immigration system and that we will find a well of support for pragmatic policies on immigration reform.